They haven’t tallied everything up, but one thing’s clear – it was one of the most successful festivals, with one of the largest crowds ever.

Monday, September 10, 2001

They haven’t tallied everything up, but one thing’s clear – it was one of the most successful festivals, with one of the largest crowds ever.

That’s what Festival of the Hills Committee chair Dot Mayne said this morning, after volunteers finished cleanup on the 15th annual festival Sunday evening.

"We didn’t get a definite number," Mrs. Mayne said. "But we just think everything went very well and the committee is very happy."

The Festival of the Hills boasted a good turnout on Saturday for singing, crafts and other Appalachian-style shows, but it seemed like Sunday’s crowd was even bigger, she said.

Also, the rain held off for both days of the festival, which helped bring more people out for the fun and hourly events, she added.

"We had so many people who stopped and told us it was the best one we ever have done We must have had something for everyone."

Some of the most popular attractions at this year’s festival were the area crafters who brought a nice selection, the demonstrators like a West Virginia woman who did spinning, OUSC’s Science Wizard Dr. Robert Culp who kept kids running across the parking lot, and Dave Lucas’s Boy Scouts who entertained everyone with a fantastic Native American village, committee members said.

"And there was something for people to listen to or look at the whole time they were here," Mrs. Mayne said, mentioning the Bluegrass, country, gospel and other musical talents – from the area – featured at the festival.

"We were very busy the whole two days."

Mrs. Mayne thanked everyone who came out to support the festival, and said the committee looks forward to setting up an even bigger and better one next year.